Hockey: Havant prove small hurdle

ROB THOMPSON scored four times yesterday to take Hounslow a step nearer to the PizzaExpress National League title with a 6-3 victory over third-placed Havant, last season's champions, at Feltham School.

Thompson's first followed an appalling clearance by David Faulkner in the second minute and the second a goalkeeping error by Sean Rowlands. Havant fought back with goals from Russell Garcia and their captain, Colin Cooper, at penalty corners for a 2-2 interval scoreline before Hounslow cashed in on further errors in defence.

Southgate stayed in second place, three points behind Hounslow, beating Neston 4-1 thanks to Rupert Welch's second-half hat-trick. Sean Kerry had given Southgate an 18th-minute lead at a penalty corner, Richard Beswick equalising for Neston six minutes before the interval. Welch then took over.

Fourth-placed Stourport were held to a draw by Trojans, a 41st-minute Scott Jennison strike cancelling out an early goal from Imran Sherwani.

Reading maintained their four-point lead over Indian Gymkhana at the top of the Second Division following a 2-0 win over the bottom club, Lyons, who had Parvez Bhatti sent off seven minutes from the end for allegedly striking a Reading player. Reading's goals came from Paddy Osborn at penalty corners.

Guildford, with David Knapp scoring his 50th National League goal, were 5-2 winners against Brooklands and moved into third place after Barford Tigers' 2-0 defeat at Warrington. The captain, Ian Jennings, collected two goals, Neil Berry and Mark Morris completing the scoring for Guildford.